SALT LAKE CITY – Serbian guard Nikola Topic is expected to be selected in the 2024 NBA Draft lottery, where the Utah Jazz have the tenth pick.
The Jazz have three top-32 selections in the 2024 draft, allowing them to add valuable pieces to their already young core.
Here’s how Topic would fit in with the Jazz if he lands in Utah in late June.
Related: Utah Jazz 2024 NBA Draft Outlook
Utah Jazz Draft: Nikola Topic – G – Serbia
Stats: 14.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists: .498/.306/.878
Strengths: The first thing that jumps out about Topic is his play where he finds teammates on entry passes, jump passes, exit passes and in the pick and roll.
There are no blind spots on the court when Topic has the ball, and not only did the Serbian guard find his teammates when they were open, but he often made passes to free them from the defense for easy looks.
Although his game is not loaded with highlights, the ease with which his teammates scored on the reception of his passes is a testament to his advanced feel for the game.
Topic doesn’t have a lot of movement with the ball in his hands, but at nearly 6-foot-6 with excellent vision, he creates easy looks at the basket for himself where he finished extremely well at the rim with the two hands.
Nikola Topic ranks among the best PNR players in Europe at 18, which is scary considering how PGs generally improve with age and experience. His ability to make instant reads, trace the field and process the play with surgical precision is a rare and coveted commodity. pic.twitter.com/AXQmmJdeR0
– Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 10, 2024
Like many of the best goaltenders in the NBA, Topic uses a combination of strength moves and hesitation to create space for him to shoot his shot inside the paint.
The 18-year-old is a true pass rusher and didn’t chase down shots, but he showed the ability to score from mid-range when his team needed a bucket.
Topic has excellent touch when attacking dribbles with tough runners and two-handed hook shots, highlighting his natural overall feel.
The guard rarely dribbles and is the type of ball mover that could be infectious for an NBA offense.
Weaknesses: Despite his excellent touch on passes and at the free throw line, Topic is a poor three-point shooter at just over 30 percent.
Opposing defenses regularly backed up to Topic at the three-point line or went under screens in the pick-and-roll and he rarely punished them for it.
If that number doesn’t improve dramatically in the NBA, his overall value will decline to an offense despite his myriad other gifts.
While he stood just under 6-foot-6, he still sometimes struggled to get his shot near the rim after overexerting rather than getting back up for a short jump shot that he knocked down with some regularity.
It took me quite a while but I finally found a Nikola Topic dunk (FIBA U18 Europe 2023 gold medal game). He hasn’t had a dunk in 13 healthy games in the Adriatic League this year. pic.twitter.com/QUl5dJAVOJ
– Ricky O’Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) June 3, 2024
As a defender, Topic has mostly held his own in Europe, but he won’t be considered a plus defender in the NBA and would need a course correction to be above average.
His size should help him gain space as the team’s overall defender, and he has at times opted for bigger offensive players in the post, but his low steal and block numbers suggest he’s unlikely to be a defensive playmaker during his career.
Topic was poised to be a top-five pick in the draft, but a torn ACL in January could hurt his draft stock.
Would Nikola Topic fit with Jazz in the draft?
Although the Jazz have a large number of guards on the roster, they lack a natural connector like Topic, who can find all four teammates on the court at any time.
Topic’s natural feel and high basketball IQ would provide a significant boost to the Jazz’s offense as soon as he steps on the floor, although his recent knee injury could push that back a full season if teams choose to be conservative with his rehab.
Seventh 20-point game for Nikola Topic today, this one on 9-10 2PT. Just slide on these discs. He’s a counterattack driver, he just waits for the defender to shift his weight the wrong way and capitalizes. pic.twitter.com/7qxRn0WZV7
– Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) December 4, 2023
Coach Will Hardy hasn’t been overly reliant on the pick and roll in his time with the Jazz, although he could adjust his offense to better utilize Topic if the team determines the overhaul is worth it.
However, Topic’s ability to go downhill and force defensive turnovers would still generate advantages for the Jazz, even if they don’t run more pick-and-rolls.
If Topic’s three-point shooting reaches even average (which isn’t out of the question for an 18-year-old), he has a chance to truly be a game-changer on the offensive end, but has a relatively high floor due to his passing and overall offensive feel.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL sports area. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
